Your Child’s First Dental Visit Many children are unsure about their first dental visit, but they don’t have to be. Our at Kids Dental Plano and Kids Dental Carrollton facilities are custom-designed to spark excitement about the dentist’s office. Follow the hints below to make your child’s first visit with us more enjoyable. Forms For Your Kids First Dental Visit Download new patient forms Please fill out and print to save time on your next visits Kids First Dental Visit Hints HINT Your child should visit a pediatric dentist by his/her first birthday. HINT The less buildup to any dental visit, the better. Inform your child about the visit and let him/her know the dentist and his staff will explain the routine and answer any questions. HINT Refrain from using words that might create unnecessary anxiety, such as needle, pull, drill or hurt. The office makes a practice of using more kid-friendly terms that convey the same message. HINT If your child is over the age of 3, we ask that you allow him/her to accompany our staff through the dental experience so that we may have his/her undivided attention. Studies and experience have shown that most children over the age of 3 react more positively when allowed to experience the visit on their own and in an environment designed especially for children.

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At Kids Dental, we offer comprehensive, family-centered pediatric dental care in a child-friendly nurturing environment. If you are looking for a place to call your dental home, please schedule a consultation with one of our pediatric dentists by completing an Online Appointment Request or calling either office.

Plano Office Phone: 972-378-5437

Carrollton Office Phone: 972-394-2140

Zirconia White Dental Crowns for Kids

Zirconia white dental crowns are a highly esthetic and durable stainless steel crown alternative now available in pediatric dentistry. Until recently, children in need of  white dental crowns did not have the cosmetic dental options available to adults, however, with the introduction of pediatric white zirconia crowns, children are now able to have tooth restoration which looks so natural that even their parents can’t tell the difference between the crown and the natural teeth. The pediatric dentists at Kids Dental are pleased to offer white zirconia dental crowns for primary teeth in need of a strong, reliable, esthetically pleasing dental crown.

Zirconia Use in Dentistry

Zirconia has been used in medical procedures, such as hip replacements, for many years due to its biocompatibility and strength. Recognizing the many benefits of zirconia, the dental industry began to utilize it in the early 2000’s for adult dental procedures such as:

• Endodontic posts
• Dental crowns and bridges
• Implant abutments

In 2010, zirconia became available for use by pediatric dentists, taking restoration of damaged primary teeth to a new level. Zirconia is the strongest, non-metal material available for dental crowns today and creates a tooth restoration that is virtually undetectable.

Pediatric Dental Restoration with White Zirconia Dental Crowns

Children may need a dental crown due to:

• Damaged, chipped, or broken teeth
• Improper tooth development
• Significant dental decay

In severe cases of early childhood caries (ECC), or cavities, a tooth may be too damaged to be repaired with a simple filling. A crown can be used to protect the tooth from the breakage that can occur during the filling procedure. Oftentimes in such cases, decay has affected an anterior (front) tooth and esthetics is a genuine concern, as teasing can become an issue when crowns are necessary on front teeth.

White zirconia dental crowns are made from solid monolithic zirconia ceramic which does not discolor, chip, or break down over time. The zirconia crowns are digitally pre-made and produced in varying sizes. The crown process involves removing the decayed or damaged area, then preparing the remaining tooth for crown placement. Your pediatric dentist can choose the appropriate tooth-colored zirconia crown which will seamlessly blend in with your child’s other teeth.

Zirconia crowns can be placed in one office visit rather than the process of placing a temporary crown and waiting for the permanent one to arrive and scheduling a second appointment.

Other white zirconia dental crown benefits include:

• Esthetically superior to other crown options
• Impermeable to staining
• Unmatched durability (will not chip or break down as resin strip or pre-veneered crowns can)
• Non-metal
• Biocompatible (gentle on the gum tissue)
• Plaque and decay resistant

While white zirconia crowns are an excellent option in most cases, they may not be an appropriate choice in patients with:

• Space loss
• Significant crowding
• Insufficient tooth structure remaining
• Bruxism (teeth grinding)

The process of placing a pediatric zirconia crown is typically more comfortable for our patients than other dental crown options since no dental impressions are necessary and they are not technique sensitive.

While discovering that your child needs a dental crown can cause some anxiety, having the option of the most aesthetically natural, biocompatible pediatric crown available can put your mind at ease. With state-of-the-art white zirconia crowns, your child’s smile can be natural-looking and beautiful, as well as healthy.

At Kids Dental, we offer comprehensive, family-centered pediatric dental care in a child-friendly nurturing environment.If you are concerned about your child’s teeth or your child is in need of a white zirconium dental crown, please schedule a consultation with one of our pediatric dentists by completing an Online Appointment Request or calling either office.

Plano Office Phone: 972-378-5437

Carrollton Office Phone: 972-394-2140

Xylitol dental benefits on oral health has been recognized by The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) to include a significant reduction in tooth decay, as well as contributing to the reversal of cavity formation.

The Benefits of Xylitol on Oral Health

The benefits of xylitol on oral health are due to the inability to break down Xylitol, a natural sweetener derived from plants, into simple sugars that feed bacteria. Xylitol is a 5-carbon sugar alcohol substance found in certain plants, fruits, vegetables, and other natural sources. Research shows that xylitol has many health benefits, including dramatically reducing tooth decay, however, the amount of xylitol contained in many foods is inadequate to produce a positive impact on dental health. Therefore, using products containing 100% xylitol or using xylitol as a sugar substitute is recommended to attain its oral health benefits. Eating healthy prevents tooth decay.

How Xylitol Keeps Teeth Healthy

Dental cavities occur when natural bacteria present in the mouth feed on the sugars we eat which remain on the teeth. These bacteria multiply and produce acids that attack the teeth and form cavities, or decay. The bacteria are unable to feed on xylitol and are essentially starved and cannot grow. Studies show that Xylitol dental benefits include effectively decrease acid-producing bacteria by up to 90%. Xylitol also keeps the bacteria from adhering to teeth which decreases plaque.

Because xylitol does not break down as sugar does, the pH level in the saliva is raised and acid does not form. In addition, xylitol can stimulate saliva production which is beneficial in repairing damaged enamel and remineralizing teeth. Saliva containing xylitol has a higher concentration of ammonia and amino acids which raise pH levels resulting in the hardening of tooth enamel.

Xylitol use has been found to significantly reduce tooth decay in both high and low risk groups concerning cavity occurrence.

Other Xylitol Dental Benefits

• 100% natural
• Safe and effective
• Convenient to use (with products such as chewing gum and candies)
• Does not raise blood sugar (as sugar can)
• Replaces other less healthy sweeteners
• 40% less calories and 75% fewer carbohydrates than sugar
• Inhibits bacterial growth in upper respiratory passages (xylitol nasal wash)
• Can reduce ear infections (8 grams orally per day)
• Can be used by diabetics (upon physician approval)
• Easy to use in recipes (replace sugar with equal amount of xylitol)
• Delicious flavor with no unpleasant aftertaste
• No adverse reaction (xylitol and the enzymes that break it down are naturally present in the body)
• Helps with the prevention of gum disease

Xylitol-Containing Products

The most commonly used products containing xylitol are sugar-free chewing gum and candies (such as mints, caramels, and chocolates) which have both been endorsed by six national dental associations.

Other xylitol-containing products available are:

• Toothpaste
• Dental floss
• Mouth spray or wash
• Nasal spray

Xylitol is available as a natural bulk sweetener, as well. When purchasing xylitol, look for products containing 100% xylitol without high levels of acid, which negates its dental benefits. If the main sweetener is listed as HSH, the xylitol content is typically low and ineffectual.

How to Use Xylitol

At one time, the recommendation was to consume 6-10 grams per day. Now, most health care professionals agree that frequency of xylitol use is more beneficial than the quantity consumed. Patients who adhere to a “Strive for Five” regimen will intake more than enough xylitol to effectively prevent dental cavities, and frequent exposure to xylitol will stimulate saliva and replace the sugars and carbohydrates in the mouth throughout the day. Keeping xylitol in contact with the teeth as frequently as possible will help obtain the optimum dental benefits it can provide.

A suggested method for achieving 5 exposures of xylitol per day is:

• Xylitol toothpaste or mouthwash use in the morning
• Xylitol gum or candy after breakfast
• Xylitol gum or candy after lunch
• Xylitol gum or candy after dinner
• Xylitol dental floss, toothpaste, or mouthwash before bed

Candy or gum should be chewed or sucked on for at least 2-3 minutes in order to be effective. If you eat snacks throughout the day, adding a xylitol mint or chewing xylitol gum after consumption will give additional dental benefits. Consuming xylitol only occasionally has not shown to provide significant oral health benefits.

If you would like more information about the Xylitol dental benefits or are looking for a pediatric dental team for your family, please contact Kids Dental Plano Office or Kids Dental Carrollton Office to schedule a visit with one of our pediatric dentists or orthodontist. 

Certain procedures require dental sedation, for the purpose of keeping a child calm and as comfortable as possible during their dental visit. There are multiple types of sedation, one of which may be recommended or required if a child needs to undergo a lengthy procedure or multiple complex procedures within one visit. Your child may also require or be more comfortable with dental sedation if he or she has special needs, is extremely fearful of dental care, or experiences great difficulty sitting still. As pediatric professionals, the decision to recommend or require oral conscious sedation for a child’s dental care is always dictated by what is most advantageous for the child, not out of convenience for the dentist or parent/caregiver. Dental sedation is considered very low risk, and as a practice, our goal is to care for your child’s dental needs in the least invasive and safest manner possible. 

What Exactly Is Dental Sedation?

Dental sedation may be advised or required for multiple reasons and is usually performed at the pediatric dentist’s office before your child’s dental procedure(s). Sedation is the use of one of the multiple forms of mild sedative drugs for calming purposes or anxiety relief while dental procedures are being performed. Sedation may also be necessary and given by the dentist when a child displays a high “gag reflex,” when the child’s safety may be jeopardized without a sedative, or when too many procedures must be done at once for the child to handle without sedation. Oftentimes oral conscious sedation is used on very young children who display extreme dental decay or are unable to cooperate in the typical manner. Pediatric dentists will most commonly utilize oral conscious sedation to gain cooperation from children to eliminate disruptive behavior and to prevent patients from accidentally causing injury to themselves during a dental procedure. This sedative drug is used often in conjunction with nitrous oxide and oxygen analgesia. 

Dental sedative medication does not control or decrease pain. A different medication is administered (injected) to numb the mouth and reduce discomfort during procedures, after the sedative is given. The effects of sedation may persist up to 6 hours after a procedure, so the pediatric dentist will always give parents/caregivers special instructions regarding pre and post-procedure care for the child. 

Types Of Dental Sedation

There multiple components to dental sedation and more than one type. Multiple medications may be used in conjunction with each other, depending on a child’s particular situation and needs. The type of sedation best suited for a child depends on each individual situation and the extent and complexity of the dental work being performed. Types of dental sedation include:

Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Analgesia—Nitrous oxide and oxygen analgesia is also known as “laughing gas” or “happy air.” It smells good and its effects are completely removed five minutes after withdrawal. Many children find it helpful in managing dental anxiety. It provides a sensation of wellbeing. 

Conscious Sedation—Sometimes a sedative drug is used to relax a child who does not respond to other behavior management techniques. Often this is an extremely young child who has extensive decay and who is unable to cooperate in the usual manner. This drug is administered orally and may be used in conjunction with nitrous oxide and oxygen analgesia. Sedations are not performed without parents being further informed and obtaining their consent for this procedure. 

Hospital Dentistry or IV Disassociative Sedation—For some children with medical complications, extensive decay at a very young age, or instances when conscious sedation is ineffective, dental treatment can be accomplished in a hospital operating room under general anesthesia or by IV sedation in the dental office. Additional information is provided to parents regarding this information. 

Benefits Of Dental Sedation Outweigh The Risks 

Oral conscious sedation as well as IV sedations are considered low risk and safe. A parent or caregiver, however, should always make an informed decision when consenting to the administration of dental medications or procedures being performed on their child. The risks of oral conscious sedation, although extremely unlikely, will be explained prior to a child’s procedure. The parent/caregiver must then sign a form stating that he or she understands the risks of sedation and is consenting to this medication being administered before the procedure(s). 

The benefits of dental sedation include reduction of anxiety, elimination of disruptive behavior, cooperation for dental treatment, prevention of self-injury during a dental procedure, and removal of the dental disease process as to prevent further dental or medical complications. 

Please contact Kids Dental Plano Office or Kids Dental Carrollton Office to schedule a visit with one of our pediatric dentists or orthodontist. 

X-rays are used in pediatric dentistry for a number of reasons. Radiography, also known as the ‘conventional X-ray,’ is the particular type of medical imaging process used in pediatric dentistry, which means a single image is recorded for subsequent evaluation. 

Dental X-rays and Safety

When abiding by the correct precautionary measures, pediatric dental radiography is considered very low risk for causing any negative health effects, and there are multiple reasons why the benefits of dental X-rays supersede any risks. Read more about tips and safety in pediatric dentistry on our pedaitric dental topics page.

Why Are Dental X-rays Important? 

Pediatric dentists routinely use dental radiography for diagnostic as well as preventive reasons. X-rays are necessary to find certain dental decay or diseases that cannot be seen upon visual examination. Dental x-rays also help the pediatric dentist ascertain the amount of space in the mouth available for permanent teeth which have not yet erupted, as well as determine if the primary teeth are being lost expeditiously enough for the permanent teeth to correctly erupt. Additionally, dental x-rays allow the dentist to see if all adult teeth are present below the gum line, if extra teeth exist, or if there are any missing before they start coming in. Furthermore, dental radiography helps the dentist approximate the timing of un-erupted wisdom teeth or see if wisdom teeth are either impacted or unable to come in due to issues like bone structure inhibition or other teeth. Finally, dental x-rays aid pediatric dentists in being able to specify anticipated orthodontic care that may be necessary for a child. 

How Often Do Kids Need Dental X-rays?

Dental x-rays are not taken every check up. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), every child’s individual case and circumstances determine how often he or she needs dental x-rays (radiography). The pediatric dentist will prescribe dental x-rays on an as needed basis for each child. For safety reasons, however, digital radiography is used minimally, to obtain a large amount of diagnostic and preventive information during the growth and development years. 

Children at a higher than normal risk for dental decay may need x-rays more often, as suggested by the pediatric dentist, to keep track of variations in the condition and health of their teeth. For children considered low to normal risk for tooth decay, the dentist may recommend a set of dental x-rays to be taken every one to two years. Even if no dental decay is presumed, x-rays are significantly beneficial for keeping tabs on tooth and jaw growth. If a child experiences some sort of injury or trauma to the mouth, the pediatric dentist may need to x-ray the mouth as soon as possible to learn the extent of the damage and formulate the best plan of action for treatment and restorative dental work, if necessary. 

How Safe Is Dental Radiography for Kids?

Although exorbitant radiation exposure from one of the multitude of feasible sources in our surrounding present world can, in fact, lead to cellular or tissue damage in the body and possible negatively impact overall health, dental radiographs are considered very safe and low risk for children. Digital x-raying, the newest and safest form of radiography, is the only method by which our practice records images of a child’s mouth. Digital radiography generates only the very minimal amount of radiation necessary to record an image. This amount of radiation is significantly lower than what is produced with the standard more antiquated machines. Also, the heightened sensitivity of x-ray film, has reduced the amount of radiation required to record an accurate and precise image of the teeth and jaw structures, consequently decreasing the amount of overall radiation exposure as well. 

Additionally, the pediatric dentist will employ several safeguarding measures to guarantee your child undergoes no inordinate damage to bodily tissues or cells due to the x-ray process. A lead vest/apron will be placed over the child to keep the body from undergoing any extraneous exposure. Technological advancements allow the dentist to single out only certain sections of the mouth to be x-rayed individually, while the rest of the mouth and head is protected from exposure. The dentist will use special shields to cover the parts of the face that do not need x-raying. Again, the use of high-speed digital film also decreases radiation exposure to as little as possible, while still recording an accurate image. 

If you have any questions or concerns about digital radiography and/or x-ray safety for your child, be sure to ask the pediatric dentist to explain the x-ray processes, procedures, precautionary measures, and machinery use.

Please contact Kids Dental Plano Office or Kids Dental Carrollton Office to schedule a visit with one of our pediatric dentists or orthodontist.